.
Temperatures are rising, the snow has melted and we’re seeing a bit of green grass.
But the surest sign of spring at Casa River is this:
.
.
Our first woodchuck sighting!
.
.
We’ve had a momma raise her young under our barn for the past 6 years or so and always wonder if they’ll be back.
.
.
Of course laying out some carrot slices helps.
.
.
Welcome back spring!
😌
.
.
We’re officially down to one woodchuck.
.
.
And he/she is making the most of the lack of competition., chowing down on the buffet in peace.
.
.
Woodchuck….
.
.
Or woodchonk?
.
.
I’m leaning towards the latter.
.
.
We might be down to one baby woodchuck.
.
.
Although he/she isn’t a baby anymore.
.
.
To be honest it’s hard to tell this one and momma apart anymore.
I like to think our veggie buffet bonanza has given him/her a good start in life.
.
.
I know it’s definitely expanded their waistline.
🤣
.
.
Our chuckers are social eaters. They happily munch alongside deer, skunks and raccoons.
.
.
And yes, wild turkeys as well.
.
.
Until said turkey gets a little too friendly.
.
.
And is chased from the buffet for the duration.
.
.
I woke up to this the other day.
.
.
Husband was having his coffee, I was reading the news and Lord Dudley went running to the back door.
.
.
Where a little inter species communication commenced.
I was all for letting our little back deck visitor in, but was prohibited to do so by my grumpy husband.
Boo to unadventurous spouses.
.
.
I think we’re down to two baby woodchucks now.
.
.
There were originally seven…. and I’m choosing to believe momma just booted them out of the den as opposed to the more disturbing killed and eaten by predator explanation.
.
.
The two remaining siblings stay pretty close together.
.
.
Especially when feeding.
❤️
.
.
As you know, our cat Lord Dudley Mountcatten is spoiled. He is not however, ill mannered.. and never tries to jump on the dining room table during meals. But for those of you who have misbehaving felines? I offer a solution:
.
.
You’re welcome.
.
.
What do you do when a friend recommends a fabulous blueberry vodka but you have no space on your man cave bar shelves?
.
.
You pack them a little tighter and hope the shelves are up for the extra weight.
.
.
We seem to be down to three baby woodchucks from seven. I prefer to think this is a result of momma chuck kicking a few of the kids out of the den and not the result of predation. But this little guy?
He’s still trying to move in with us.
🙂
.
.
Our woodchucks are nothing if not chill.
.
.
After a nice nosh on carrot slices?
.
.
Babies be sleepy.
.
.
And apparently warm sunny rocks are just as good as a hammock.
.
.
.
The woodchucks are still hiding in their tunnel…
.
.
And it’s proving to be quite an effective escape hatch.
.
.
Lord Dudley Mountcatten is undeterred.
.
.
And extremely hopeful.
.
.
Patience, thy name is cat.
🤣
.
.
Morning brings the baby chucks in a group.
.
.
They squabble a bit now and then but as long as the apples and carrots are plentiful they usually munch side by side.
.
.
Momma has been leaving them alone more often now.
.
.
It won’t be long before she boots them out of the den altogether.
.
River's world..... 